The title for Proposition 44 might sound somewhat reasonable when you read it.
But this ballot initiative is reckless, and it threatens access to quality care for millions of patients across the state who rely on community health clinics.
Prop 44 is penalizes clinics for investing in important staff and patient services, including people who design and supervise care delivery, help patients get and keep their health insurance, and support patients getting the referrals they need, as well as foundational expenses that make it possible for clinics to deliver care to patients, such as human resources, accounting, IT (including electronic medical records systems and telemedicine technology) and even spending to support infrastructure (rent/mortgage, utilities and insurance).
It puts politicians between patients and their medical team, leaving decisions about the services health clinics can provide in the hands of the State Attorney General – an elected politician with no health care experience.
An independent study predicts it would divert $1.7 billion from community health centers and clinics in the first year and billions thereafter at a time when clinics are already facing difficult financial challenges and federal and state funding cuts. That would jeopardize care for 7 million patients across the state, as clinics would have to cut back on services or even close their doors, forcing patients to use hospital emergency rooms for routine care and creating more ER overcrowding, longer wait times and billions of dollars in higher costs for everyone.
Venice Family Clinic opposes Prop 44 alongside a broad and growing coalition of patients, doctors, nurses, more than 1,000 community health clinics, and nearly 100 organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the California Medical Association and many others.
We urge everyone to learn more and then vote NO on Prop 44 to protect access to care for millions of patients and the community health clinics communities across the state rely on.
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